Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -

Utah State 5, UNLV 2

A come-from-behind victory gave Utah State softball its first Mountain West win of the season Saturday, as the Aggies topped the Rebels, 5-2.

Freshman pitcher Delaney Hull pitched the complete game Saturday, tallying five strikeouts and walking two batters. Three Utah State batters went 2-for-4 at the plate, in freshman outfielder Leah Molina, sophomore outfielder Riley Plogger and senior catcher Brina Buttacavoli.

With the win, Utah State improves to 11-16 overall and 1-4 in Mountain West play. UNLV falls to 20-9 overall and 3-2 in league action with the loss.

UNLV struck first and early, plating two runs in the bottom of the first. After leading off the inning with a walk, a Utah State error brought the first runner in. A single to center field followed, giving the Rebels the 2-0 lead.

Utah State had two hits through the first three innings, including a double from junior first baseman Bailee Trapp. Things started to come together for the Aggies in the top of the fourth inning. Buttacavoli opened the inning with a single to left center. Then with two outs on the board, junior Bailey Lewis came in to pinch hit, hitting her first home run of the season to even the score.

The game continued to move in USU's favor in the top of the fifth, where the Aggies took the lead. After one out, Molina singled to shortstop and stole second. Senior third baseman Amee Aarhus then hit a double to left field, bringing Molina home and putting the Aggies ahead. Plogger then singled to right, while Buttacavoli followed with a single to score Aarhus.

The Rebels looked to come back in the bottom of the inning, leading off with a single. Utah State turned a double play on the next at-bat, quickly erasing the threat. UNLV put two additional runners on through a single and a USU error, but a groundout ended the inning.

The Aggies got two more runners on in the sixth through a UNLV error and a single to left field, but were unable to score again. The Utah State defense held strong though, retiring six-straight Rebel batters to end the game and earn the win.

Utah State out-hit UNLV, 10-5, but the Aggies had three errors to the Rebels' two.

The weekend series between Utah State and UNLV will conclude with a noon contest on Sunday, March 25.

Fans can follow the Aggie softball program on Twitter, @USUSoftball, on Facebook at /USUSoftball or on Instagram, @ususoftball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.